Cylinder head for internal combustion engines



-Aug. 6, 1935. E. G. FAHLMAN 2,010,782

CYLINDER HEAD FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed April 30, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR BY4M W66? ATTORNEYS- Aug- 6,1935- E. G. FAHLMAN 2,010,782

CYLINDER HEAD FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed April 30, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z Z F1 E Z 2 Aill Win:

V I /A Iii" INVENTOR W$M ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 6, 1935 CYLINDER HEAD F03 INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Everett G. Fahlman, to The Permold Com corporation of Ohio Application April 30, 1935, erial No. 19,045

9Claims.(

This invention relates to cylinder heads and more particularly to cylinder heads for internal combustion engines of the fluid cooled type. One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a cylinder head of new and improved construction for fluid cooled internal combustion engines, the chamber within the head through which the cooling fluid circulates, being so arranged as to insure positive circulation of the cooling fluid and provide for a desired dissipation of heat throughout the interior of the cylinder head.

Another object is to provide a cylinder head having a passage for circulation of the cooling fluid therethrough, which is so arranged as to direct fresh cooling fluid over specific internal portions of the cylinder head such as each area that overlies an engine combustion chamber.

Another object is to provide a cylinder head having a fluid outlet and a number of fluid inlets so arranged that the cooling fluid entering the head through certain of rected away from the coo adjacent inlets.

the inlets is diing fluid flowing from Another object is to provide a cylinder head with a chamber for the circulation of cooling fluid in which the circulation and flow of cooling fluid is such that each portion of the head which overlies an engine combustion chamber will have a temperature under a condition of operation 01' the engine which is substantially the same as the temperature of every other like portion.

Another object is to provide a cylinder head in which the effective cross-sectional area ofthe cooling fluid chamber over each portion that overlies an engine combustion chamber is progressively decreased from a maximum substan tially at the fluid outlet to a minimum at the inafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings and then claimed.

In the drawings, which illustrate a suitable embodiment of the invention:

Figure l is a plan view of the cylinder head;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the cylinder head shown in Fig. 1, the head being shown mounted on a cylinder block;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the cylinder head Rocky River, @hio, assignor shown in Fig. 1, taken outlet port;'

Fig. 4 is an elevation the cylinder head;

Fig. 5 is a bottom head shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section taken approximately on the line 66 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken on the line 'il of Fig. 3, showing the internal arrangement of the chamber for the cooling medium and showing the fluid inlets;

Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, are transverse sections taken approximately on the lines 8--8, 9-9, ifl-ltl, and H-||, respectively, of Fig. 1, and 5 showing the relative changes in area of the cooling fluid chamber at the region of these sections; and

Fig. 12 is a section taken the line 52-82 of Fig. 1.

In internal combustion engines of the fluid cooled type it is the usual practice to provide a fluid outlet at or near one end of the cylinder head and anumber of fluid inlets throughout that portion of the cylinder head that overlies the engine cylinder block, these inlets registering with openings formed in the upper-surface of the cylinder block to receive the cooling medium from the water jacket of the engine cylinders.

The cylinder head has a number of areas in its lower wall each of which overlies an engine combustion chamber. The most eflicient operation of an internal combustion engine is obtainable when the temperature of each of these portions is substantially the same as every other like portion, but in previously known cylinder head designs themanner of directing and controlling the flow of cooling fluid through the cylinder head has been neglected.

Because of the uncontrolled flow of cooling fluid in many previously known cylinder heads, at some operating speeds of the engine, portions ofeach area which overlies a combustion chamber were over cooled and other portions of the same area were under cooled, resulting in loss of emciency oi the engine, and in some extreme cases resulting, because of these conditions of over and under cooling, in cracks developing in the cylinder head. N 1

In thefcylinder head of the present invention particular attention is paid to the manner of directing and controlling the flow of the cooling fluid throughout the cylinder head. The walls of the cooling fluid chamber are so arranged 55 as looking towards the of the opposite end of plan view of the cylinder 5 approximately on with respect to the fluid inlet openings as to provide for a proper flow oi the cooling fluid within the cylinder head, and to provide a condition whereby each portion that overlies a combustion chamber will be properly cooled and have a temperature substantially the same as the temperature of every other like portion.

Referring to the accompanying drawings; in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, the cylinder head shown for the purpose of illustration is one that is suitable for use with a four-cylinder internal combustion engine. The cylinder head may be formed from cast iron but preferably is madefrom an aluminum alloy or other metal of high thermal conductivity. Aluminum and alloys thereof have a much higher rate of heat conductivity than cast iron, and are ideal for use in cylinder head constructions where high compression ratios are desired inasmuch as the rate of heat dissipation of the aluminum or aluminum alloy is sufliciently high to obviate detonation at the higher compression ratios.

drilled and tapped to provide spark plug openings 5, and by means of other posts 6 which are provided with apertures I for the reception of the bolts which secure the cylinder head to the cylinder block of the engine, some of the posts 6 being integral with the side wall of the chamber. The side wall in the construction shown in the drawings merges into the lower wall I at certain regions inwardly of the edges of the lower wall I and additional bolt openings 8 may be provided in the lower wall I as indicated in Figs. 1

and 7. The numerals 9, to, II, and I2 represent the areas of the lower wall I which overlie the cylinders and valves of the engine. The outlet passage or opening I3 for the cooling medium is arranged in the end of the cylinder head next adjacent the area 8 as indicated in Fig. 7. If desired, however, the outlet may be arranged at any other suitable location.

Four series .of inlet openings are formed through the lower wall Ii of the cylinder head. One series of inlet openings Ilb, No, I! and it, is provided for allowing cooling fluid to enter the head at a region adjacent the area. 9. Another series of openings Ma, I50, lib, and We, is provided for allowing cooling fluid to enter the head at a region adjacent the area I0. Another series of openings Iiw, Nb, and I Go, is provided for allowing cooling fluid to enter the head at a region adjacent the area II. A fourth series of openings Ila, IIb, Ho, and lid, is provided for allowing cooling fluid to enter the head adjacent the area l2. An additional inlet opening it is provided in the lower wall I adjacent the outlet opening I3.

It is to be clearly understood, however. that the numbers, sizes and locations of the inlet openings may be varied as desired, and that those showninthedrawingsareforthepurposeoiillustration..--" v In the cylinder head of the present invention the cooling fluid chamber as shown in Fig. 6 is of a mnxiinum height substantially at the outlet I3 and decreases therefrom to a minimum at the region of the inlet openings most remote from the outlet, and the cooling fluid chamber at specific regions such asfor example over those portions which overlie the engine combustion chambers progressively decreases in cross-sectional area, as shown in Figs. l1, l0, 9, and 8, respectively, throughout the width thereof from a maximum adjacent the fluid outlet to a minimum at a region most remote from the outlet.

Also, the total areas of the series of inlet openings Mb, Me, I9, and 20, of the series of inlet openings Ma, I5a, I51), and I5c, of the series of inlet openings Ilia, lib, and I60, and of the series of inlet openings I'Ia, D, We, and lid, are made such that cooling fluid will flow therefrom in suflicient quantity to respectively maintain the areas 9, Iii, II, and I2 at the desired temperatures. In other words, each series of inlet openings is of a size which will supply the adjacent area next nearest the fluid outlet with suflicient cooling fluid to maintain a desired temperature at that particular area.

The cross-sectional area of the cooling fluid of the chamber over the area I2 and at the section M, for example, is such as will accommodate the desired flow of cooling fluid from the series of inlet openings Hi), We, and I id. The cross-sectional area of the, cooling fluid chamber over the area II next nearest the outlet I3 at a similar region such as at section 99 is not only of such magnitude as will accommodate the desired flow of cooling fluid from the series of inlet openings Ita, itb, and Mic, but is also of suflicient magnitude to unrestrictedly accommodate the cooling fluid flowing from over the area. I2. The cross-sectional area of the cooling fluid. chamber over the area I0 at a section Iii-Iii is of such increased size that it will accommodate the desired flow of fluid from the series of inlet openings i511, 55b, and I50, and will also unrestrictedly accommodate all the fluid flowing from over the areas II and I2 towards the fluid outlet. Lastly, the cross-sectional area of the cooling fluid chamber over the area 9 at section II-Il is of still greater magnitude so that the chamber at this region will accommodate the desired flow of cooling fluid from the series of inlets I ia, Nb, and Me, and will also unrestrictedly accommodate the fluid flowing from over the areas III, II, and I2 towards the outlet I3.

By increasing the cross-sectional areas of the cooling fluid chamber over the specific areas such as 9, id, Ii, and 82 from the area most remote from the outlet It to the'outlet I3, and by properly shaping the chamber in a transverse direction, all of the cooling fluid will flow unrestrictedly from the fluid inlets most remote from the outlet It, so that this cooling fluid will flow at the proper velocity to provide for the desired transfer of heat. By shaping the interior of the fluid cooling chamber in the manner described, the velocity of the flow of cooling fluid at various regions is in eflfect actually controlled within the cylinder head.

In. addition to shaping the cooling fluid chamher in such manner that the cross-sectional area thereof progressively decreases throughout substantially its entire width from the outlet opening to the fluid inlet openings most remote from the outlet, the lateral wall of the fluid cooling chamber instead of being of uniform contour as in conventional cylinder head designs is preferably of irregular shape as shown in Figs. 1 and I, for

the purpose of providing fluid directing passageways for some of the fluid inlet openings.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 7, the inlet openings a, I511, I611, Ila, llb, "c, "(1, lic, e, and 20 open into passageways 22 to 3|, respectively,

which are formed by the lateral and upper walls of the cylinder head. These passageways need not be of uniform size or length and may extend in different directions. These passageways preferably diverge inwardly from the'inlet openings which open thereinto, and provide a means whereby as between two adjacent passageways the fluid flowing from the inlet of one passageway is prevented from commingling with the fluid flowing from the adjacent passageway for a portion of its travel, so that a definite path or direction of movement is imparted to the fluid flowing from both passageways, and so that fresh cooling fluid may eifectively cool speciflc portions of the head towards which it is directed before it. coles with the heated cooling fluid flowing towards the outlet l3. It will be noted that the passageways with the exception of passageway 3! adjacent the outlet end of the cylinder head, extend towards the general direction of flow 0f fluid within the head. It will 9 also be noted that as regards any two of the last mentioned adjacent fluid inlet openings, the cooling fluid flowing from one of such openings cannot flow directly towards the other adjacent opening, but is directed away from the same by the wall of the head which extends inwardly for an appreciable distance between such adjacent inlet openings. Therefore; fresh cooling fluid will flow for a portion of its travel from each of these particular openings without commingling with the fluid flowing from the adjacent inlet openings. 1

Considering that the cylinder head shown in the drawings is in a horizontal position when 'mounted on an engine cylinder block, and referring to Fig. 7, the arrows indicate in a general manner the direction oftravel of the incoming cooling fluid as it leaves the various inlet openings; Cooling fluid entering through inlet openings I lb, 51c, and lid, is caused by'the passageways 26, 21, and 28, respectively, to flow di-' rectly over the area l2 as indicated, a greater portion of the fluid from opening llb flowing through the narrow passage 2| between the spark plug post 4 and the adjacent side wall of the cylinder head. Cooling fluid entering through the inlet opening Ila also 'flows over a portion of the area I! and is directed by the adjacent wall of the cylinder head to further flow over the area II. Cooling fluid entering the cylinder head through openings lia and 160 is directed by the passageways 24 and 29 to flow over the area H, the fluid from the inlet opening [8a flowing through the space 32 between the spark plug-post 4 and the adjacent side wall of the cylinder head, and a portion of the fluid from the opening I60 flowing between the adjacent side wall of the head and the area I. Cooling fluid entering through the inlet opening Ma is caused by the passageway 23 to flow over the area In and through the space 33 between the spark plug post 4 and the adjacent wall otthe cylinder head as indicated. 1 I

Cooling fluid entering through the opening Ila is caused by the passageway 22 to flow over a portion of the area it and then over the area 9. Cooling fluid entering the cylinder head through passageways He and 20 is caused by the passageways 3| and ti, respectiv to flow over ing utilizable in different the area 9 as indicated. Also, cooling fluid entering through the intermediate fluid openings lGb, l5b, and Nb naturally flows over areas ll, IO, and 9, respectively. A portion of the cooling fluid entering through the inlet openihg I50 flows over the area I and also through the passage formed between the area I and adjacent side wall of the cylinder heads Cooling fluid entering through the openings II and I 9 flows toward the outlet opening l3, a portion of the fluid from the inlet opening I9 flowing over the area 9.

It is thus seen that by forming the upper and lateral walls of the cylinder head. the fluid entering the fluid cooling chamber from certain of the' fluid inlet openings may be prevented from commingling with other cooling fluid for at least a portion of the travel and be directed to flow over those portions or areas or lower wall of the head from which it is desired to remove heat. It is to be understood that these passageways may be arranged'in any desired manner so as to obtain a greater or lesser amount of cooling of specific areas, and that in some in stances the passageways for certain inlet openings may be omitted.

One of the advantages resulting from a cylinder head of the character described, in which the cooling fluid space decreases from a maximum cross-sectional area'adjacent the outlet to a minimum at the region remote therefrom, and in which the fluid entering through certain inlet openings is positively caused to flow in specific directions, and prevented for a portion of. its travel from cornmingling with cooling fluid entering through adjacent openings, is that a positive flow of fluid is maintained ubstantially through out the head.

Another advantage in such a construction is that the velocity of flow of controlled substantially as the cylinder head.

Another advantage is that the flow of cooling fluid within the cooling chamber is such that each area of the lower wall of the head which overlies an engine combustion chamber may be maintained under all operating conditions at substantially the same temperature as every other like area, thus providing for the most eflicient operation of the, engine, it being understood of course that the temperature of each of these areas may vary at diflerent portions thereof, but the relative temperatures of the areas which overlie the combustion chambers will be substantially the same. I

Another advantage of the cylinder head dedesired throughout scribed is that under given conditions of engine operation the head may be maintained at lower temperatures, the difference in temperature bemanners for increasing theefficiency of the engine.

Another advantageous feature of the cylinder head shown and described is that by progressively increasing the size of the cooling fluid chamber from a minimum at the inlet most remote from the outlet: the cylinder head is of considerably less weight than a conventional cylinder head of the same size for the same type of engine, as the amount of metal required to form the cylinder head of the present invention is appreciably less. Obviously the saving in the cost of producing such a head is a material advantage, more especially so when the head is formed of the higher priced metal such as aluminum and a1- cooling fluid may be.

passageways in has been herein shown and described it will be understood that numerous details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined in the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. As an article of manufacture a cylinder head for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, said head having a chamber therein for the circulation of cooling fluid therethrough, a plurality of fluid inlet openings for said chamber, and a fluid outlet passage for said chamber, said chamber decreasing in eifective cross-sectional area throughout substantially the entire width thereof from said outlet passage to the inlet openings most remote from said outlet passage.

2. As an article of manufacture a cylinder head for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, said head having a chamber therein for the circulation of cooling fluid therethrough, a plurality of fluid inlet openings for said chamber, and a fluid outlet passage for said chamber, said chamber decreasing in eifective cross-sectional area throughout substantially the entire width thereof from said outlet passage to the inlet openings most remote from said outlet passage, the portions of the head adjacent certain of the said inlet openings being contoured to direct the fluid flowing therethrough in a predetermined path solely in the general direction of flow of cooling fluid toward said outlet passage.

3. As an article of manufacture a cylinder head for a multi-cylindzr internal combustion engine, said head having upper, lower and lateral walls defining a chamber therein for the circulation of cooling fluid therethrough, a plurality of fluid inlet openings for said chamber, and a fluid outlet passage for said chamber, said chamber progressively decreasing-in effective cross-sectional area throughout substantially the entire width thereof from said outlet passage to the inlet openings most remote from said outlet passage, said lateral and upper walls being formed with fluid directing passageways for certain of said inlet openings, said passageways extending from said last mentioned openings in the general direction of flow of cooling fluid toward said outlet passage for causing the cooling fluid entering said cham her through said last mentioned inlet openings to flow over said lower wall solely in said general direction of flow.

4. As an article of manufacture a cylinder head for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, said head having a chamber therein for the circulation of a cooling fluid therethrough, an outlet passage for said chamber and a plurality of fluid inlet openings for said chamber, the wall of said chamber adjacent certain of said inlet openings having portions extending inwardly between adjacent openings of said last mentioned inlet openings forming separate passageways said passageways extending in the general direction of flow of cooling fluid toward said outlet passage, whereby the incoming cooling fluid flow ing from one of said last named inlet openings is separated from and directed'away from, for a portion of its travel, the cooling fluid flowing from an adjacent inlet opening and cause to flow solely in said general direction of flow.

5. As an article of manufacture an internal combustion engine cylinder head having top, bottom and lateral walls defining a chamber for the circulation of cooling fluid therethrough, and an outlet passage for said chamber, the lateral aoroaea wall of said chamber having a plurality of spaced portions extending inwardly therefrom, each pair of said spaced portions forming a fluid directing passageway extending in the general direction of the flow of cooling fluid toward said outlet passage, said bottom wall of said chamber having an inlet opening for each fluid directing passageway, said passageway confining the flow of cooling fluid entering said chamber through said openings .to a flow solely in said general direction.

6. As an article of manufacture, an internal combustion engine cylinder head having a chamber therein for the circulation of cooling fluid therethrough, a fluid outlet passage for said chamber and a plurality of fluid inlet openings for said chamber, said head having a plurality of areas within said chamber disposed to overlie the combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine, certain of said inlet openings being adjacent the lateral wall of said cooling fluid chamber, saidcooling fluid chamber having fluid directing passageways associated with said last named inlet openings for directing the flow of fluid from said last named inlet openings towards said areas and solely in the general direction of flow of cooling fluid toward said outlet passage.

'7. As an article of manufacture, an internal combustion engine cylinder head having a chamber therein for the circulation of cooling fluid therethrough, a fluid outlet passage for said chamber and a plurality of fluid inlet openings for said chamber, said head having a plurality of areas within said chamber disposed to overlie the combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine, portions of the wall of said cooling fluid chamber being contoured to direct the fluid flowing from certain of said inlet openings towards said areas and away from the fluid flowing from adjacent inlet openings and solely in the general direction of flow of cooling fluid toward said outlet passage.

8. As an article of manufacture, an internal combustion engine cylinder head having a chamber therein for the circulation of cooling fluid therethrough, a fluid outlet passage for said chamber and a plurality of fluid inlet openings for said chamber, said head having a plurality of areas within said chamber disposed to overlie the combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine, portions of the walls of said cooling fluid chamber being contoured to direct the fluid flowing from certain of said'inlet openings away from the fluid flowing from adjacent inlet. openings, and to direct such fluid to flow in a predetermined path towards certain of said areas and solely in the general direction of flow of cooling fluid toward said outlet passage.

9. An internal combustion engine cylinder head having a chamber therein for the circulasuflicient to permit continuous flow toward said outlet passage of substantially all of cooling fluid entering said chamber through said inlet openings, the lower wall of said chamber being substantially unobstructed. 

